March 07, 2012
Published on tags: Superleague
Twelve months ago Midnight Motorsport were the new team in the
paddock, after a disappointing pre-season campaign the team was gearing up for
what it hoped would be a Superleague debut of which it could be proud.



Qualifying got off to a good start with Nick Rowland putting his
MM-01 machine third on the grid behind early season favorites Joe Consiglio and
Lee Morris, Carr-Smith in the sister machine completed the third row of the
grid, lining up in sixth position just two tenths of a second behind his third
placed team mate.



The team had a similarly impressive start to the race, with Rowland
running P2 after a lightening start that saw him leapfrog Morris into T1. All
was going well until a collision with Red Archer?s Jason Muscat saw Rowland
clobber the wall on the exit of turn one, immediately casting the Brit out of
the race on only the second lap. Carr-Smith drove an uneventful race, making
the most of a consistent pace and the misfortune of others to bring his MM-01
home on the second step of the podium, the only driver to finish on the lead
lap with dominant victor, Lee Morris.



For 2012 however, the team is hoping to go one better and get both
cars to the chequered flag in respectable positions. With the ultimate goal
being for both cars to finish in the top five, with an eye towards achieving a
podium finish for at least one of the two Midnight Motorsport machines.



The Albert Park Circuit in Melbourne, Australia is a circuit that is
often highlighted as one of the most enjoyable events on the calendar. Below
you can read the drivers thoughts ahead of this week?s event.



No.
7 ? Midnight Motorsport Driver Nick Rowland:



?The
build-up to the 2012 season has been very intense. Organising the team and
dealing with the new personnel system has been tough. That took its time and we
started testing the car fully quite late on. I am pleased with progress Lukas
and I have made and am looking forward to the start of the season in Melbourne.



Melbourne
is a track I greatly enjoy and have had some success there in the past. I
anticipate a very close race and think there could be a few surprises
throughout.?



No.
8 ? Midnight Motorsport Driver Lukas Euler:



?I am very happy that we
are finally here in Melbourne for the season opener. It has been a long and
busy winter with a lot of testing to complete. Though so far I am very pleased
with how the car feels. To be completely honest I cannot wait until the green
light shows and we are finally racing again. As I said before the season my
goal is just to do the best I can as I have been out of racing for a while;
this first race is mostly about getting a feel for racing again. Of course I
hope to be racing in the front pack but I have no precise target for the first
race aside from doing my job and giving my best for the team.



Speaking of the team, I
feel good here and I think that we all work together really well. I must thank
our test-drivers Alex Cooper and Simon Melhuish for the important job they have
done over the winter and I hope I can give a little bit back to them with a
good result.?





Join us in two weeks when we catch up with the drivers to hear their
thoughts ahead of Round 2 of the championship in Shanghai, China.